Registering with the CDS Office

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colorful pencils in a pile on a desk
Attribution: "Pencil" by Monoar_CGI_Artis, Pixabay, CC 2020

Let's Get Started!

The CDS Office works with students to ensure equitable access to EvCC's academic programs and services. That means whatever barriers you're having, we want to make sure that you have the same access as other students who don't have those barriers.

Are you a recent High School graduate? Coming to college learn new skills or a new career? An adult learner? Wherever you're coming from, it's important to be aware of your student rights and responsibilities as well as the process to request accommodations.

All disability accommodations are determined through an interactive process that requires the engagement of both the student and our staff. It can take between 1-5 weeks to receive and implement accommodations for the first time, so plan ahead!

Keep in mind if you are currently taking classes, once you are approved for accommodations, they are only applied proactively, rather than retroactively.

Do I Need An Intake Appointment?

We want to have an appointment with you if...

  • If you are a new student at EvCC and have registered for classes.
  • You are a new student with a student ID and need accommodations for the placement test.
  • You are a current EvCC student and have never completed an intake appointment with the CDS Office.
  • You completed an intake and requested accommodations before 2018, your file most likely did not get moved into AccessPortal.
  • It has been more than 3 quarters since you have taken classes at EvCC or one year since the last time you requested accommodations.

Additional Support Getting Started

Please contact the CDS Office directly for:

New Student Quick Guide

  1. Provide information using the Online New Student Application.
  2. Submit additional information about your barriers, if you have it. This may be a letter from your doctor, your IEP/504 from High School, other evaluations or a self-report form. If you don't have access to paperwork, continue reading about other types of information that we accept.
  3. Once your application has been received, our office will call or email to schedule an intake appointment. Keep in mind that generally, intake appointments book out approximately 3-5 weeks out depending on student need and the time of the year, so be sure to plan ahead!

New Students

To get accommodation services, you first register with the CDS Office. We will collect information about you and your disability or barriers. We are required by law to keep this information confidential. Not all disabilities are easy to see or understand. The application and documentation process helps explain your barriers and assists in meeting eligibility requirements for certain accommodations. This process is a way for us to gather information about how to better support you in your academic career.  It is not meant to be a barrier to obtain services, accommodations or support.

If you are a High School student, it may be helpful to review the Differences between High School and College PDF Icon to explore what changes you can expect when it comes to your IEP/504. We also have a video for incoming Seniors! Check out our video: Accessibility, K-12 and Higher Education: Transitioning to College .

If you require assistance obtaining information, documentation, navigating the process or would like any forms in an accessible format, just notify the CDS Staff.

Documentation & Application

Our application is available at the Online New Student Application. This can be filled out at home, or if you need assistance, you can contact the CDS Office and a staff person would be happy to walk through it with you. 

We will also collect information about your disability. Documentation of your disability also helps protect your rights under disability laws. There are three kinds of documentation: 

  • Self-Report 
  • Observation & History
  • Clinical Evaluation Reports

Self Report

Your experience as a student with a disability is essential to the documentation process. You are the only one who can explain how you interact with people and the world - how you learn, work, and have fun. You can best explain the barriers or problems you encounter with transportation, buildings, classrooms; classes, reading course materials, taking notes or exams.

It's important that you know how to explain this to the disability services office and others who might need to know. The CDS Application includes self-report worksheet where you can provide this information.

Observation, History & School Records

Parents, teachers, family members and friends can be a good source of information about how you experience your disability.  They can tell about your childhood, and how you did things at school and home.
If you were in special education, got a 504 plan, or received other supports or accommodations in high school, your teachers, school counselor or parents probably kept notes of that. You should try to get copies of those records to share with the disability services office, as well.  Some examples of these are: IEP's, 504 Plans, Summary of Performance,  teachers' notes, letters to your parents or report cards.

Clinical Reports

Because we are not health professionals, it can be helpful to have information to have evaluations and reports from your doctor, psychologist or other health service providers. It’s important to have reports that show your current disability experience. These reports may include Hearing and vision exams, medical reports, psychological tests, or psycho-educational evaluations. 

If you would like to have your provider write a letter or provide information, we have compiled a letter that you can bring to your provider that will outline what we are looking for on our Documentation Guide for Providers PDF Icon form.

Intake Appointment

After we receive your application, a CDS Staff person will contact you to schedule an intake appointment.  Because of recent Covid-19 events, our office is conducting intake appointments using Zoom. You will receive an email containing information about how to attend your Zoom appointment.

  • On the day of your intake, join our Zoom Lobby about 10 minutes before your appointment. 
  • Once you have done that a new tab will popup. Click on the "Open Zoom Button". At this point a new message will popup saying "please wait while the meeting host lets you join".
    • Note: If you have not used Zoom before you may be asked to install it on your device. It is safe to do so.
  • If you are running late, a CDS staff member will stay in the Zoom video conference for at least 20 minutes. If for some reason you are having problems, please contact CDS at cds@everettcc.edu or call 425-388-9272.
  • If for some reason Zoom video conference is not working a phone intake can still take place. The intake will be at the time of your intake appointment so be ready to answer your phone at that time. 

During your intake appointment, you will be having an interactive discussion to discuss your specific barriers and your story. We will be going over what accommodations will work best for you, discuss additional supports and make campus referrals. We will show you how to request and use your accommodations, and have you fill out your agreement forms.  You will also be provided with additional information on confidentiality, our campus access statement, and procedures for complaint mediation of discrimination.

Other Student Services on Campus

  • Diversity & Equity
    • Supports the needs of underrepresented communities through focused retention programming, community events, identity based clubs, institutional initiatives, and connections to resources and navigation services for prospective and first year students. 
  • Workforce Funding
    • Workforce Funding provides alternative means to assist students in achieving their educational goals through unique funding opportunities.
  • Veterans' Resource Center
    • Liaison between EvCC and the US Department of Veterans Affairs
  • TRiO Student Support Services
    • Student support services for students with disabilities, low income or first generation students.
  • Student Life
    • Get connected beyond the classroom!
  • Food Pantry
    • Student-led and organized free service available to EvCC students and employees experiencing food insecurity.
  • Counseling & Student Success
    • Educational, career, short-term personal and urgent counseling.
  • Tutoring Center
    • Free academic/tutorial support for students enrolled at EvCC.
  • Writing Center
    • Peer support for student writers on all types of writing projects.
  • Bridges Transition Center
    • I-Best, Volunteer Literacy Program, Community Partnerships and BRIDGES Cultural Club.

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